Norwegian Adventist Students Raise Funds for Ugandan Refugee Settlement

Every autumn, children and young people from Adventist schools across Norway take to the streets, going door-to-door to collect money to provide schooling and vocational training for people who have fled their homes. The initiative is part of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Norway’s annual relief campaign.

This year’s efforts aim to raise funds for youth who have fled conflict in South Sudan and are now living in one of the world’s largest refugee settlements in northern Uganda. The funds will provide vocational training and start-up kits, helping young people begin small businesses and achieve self-sufficiency. The initiative seeks not only to meet practical needs but also to instill hope and a sense of agency in young people affected by displacement.

“This is a campaign that really puts our values into practice,” said Gry Haugen, communication director at ADRA Norway. “The students learn about global challenges and children’s rights. Then they get to respond by doing something concrete for others. It makes an impression, and it makes a difference.”

“Many small steps have a big impact,” Haugen added. “When children and young people in Norway get involved, young people in completely different parts of the world gain new opportunities.”

The campaign is directly integrated into the curriculum of the 12 Adventist schools in Norway. Pupils engage with themes of global citizenship, democracy, and life skills, learning about cultural differences and the power of community action.

Classrooms and Congregations

In addition to door-to-door fundraising, many schools organize sponsored runs, with pupils collecting pledges from family, friends, and local businesses. Social media campaigns help amplify their message.

The campaign is also supported by local Adventist churches and youth groups, with congregations hosting concerts, cafés, and auctions to contribute.

“This is an opportunity to strengthen the community in the congregation and at the same time make a difference in the world,” Haugen said. “When we give, we give hope. And we pass it on to the next generation.”

During the past five years ADRA’s relief campaign has raised nearly 10 million Norwegian kroner (about US$1 million), with 2024 marking the highest total to date. “Former students say the relief campaign is one of their fondest memories from their school days,” Haugen said. “Many experience it as a movement that embraces the entire congregation—and the wider local community.”

Inspiration From One Young Life

ADRA Norway recently released a new educational film, New Opportunities for Youth, offering a closer look at life in a refugee settlement in Uganda. The film follows Esther, a young woman who has found hope through vocational training and support networks facilitated by ADRA.

Esther’s story mirrors the journey of many young refugees who have been uprooted from their homes yet remain resilient in the face of adversity. With the support of ADRA, together with her own determination, Esther has begun to build a future for herself.

“This is a film that invites reflection, conversation, and engagement—both in the classroom and beyond,” said Haugen. “It gives students insight into the lives of their peers in crisis areas and shows that change is possible, no matter where you come from.”

The film is being used across Adventist schools in Norway to foster empathy and awareness, ADRA Norway leaders explained. “It’s connecting the fundraising work of Norwegian students with real lives changed through ADRA’s support in Uganda,” they said.

The original version of this story was posted on the Trans-European Division news site.